Music

Intent:

Here at Sandhurst School we firmly believe that performing education is a vital and integral part of young people’s development, not just for nurturing a rich cultural capital and historical awareness of the arts, but as a tool for developing those essential life skills any prospective employer would seek. In music, regardless of prior starting points or previous experience, students will create music, often from scratch. They will perform it, both to their peers and in concerts, and they will work to try and understand what makes for an effective musical impact. This is because music is all around us. For some, it is a way of motivating themselves or relaxing after stressful times.  For many, it is a way of expressing their innermost feelings and sharing their thoughts on the world. These are skills we want our students to develop and demonstrate throughout their time with us. 

Further information:

Our curriculum

Via our team of experienced subject specialists, students experience a rich,diverse and challenging curriculum, allowing them to develop specific key skills in the art of drama, alongside enjoying the countless benefits such as confidence building, teamwork and public speaking any drama experience would offer. We encourage the development of the imagination and the opportunity to work creatively with your peers. The three common strands of drama; Creating, Performing and Responding underpin everything we do and these skills are revisited and built upon throughout the students' time with us. Likewise, in music, students will explore the key musical ‘elements’ and learn how to put these to good use, creating and performing a range of exciting musical pieces. As students’ progress through the key stage, the level of challenge and complexity will increase and it is our hope that students leave us having enjoyed a rich and diverse musical experience where they can talk articulately about music and their own musical choices as well as be able to arrange, compose and perform their own music to a high level.

Implementation: Teaching and planning

We pride ourselves as a performing arts department with the quality of teaching and learning that exists.  We regularly use the modelling and scaffolding of work as a means to raise confidence, encourage students to perform and ultimately make better progress. Feedback is given on a regular basis, either on an individual basis or as part of the group, its power lies in its immediacy, giving the students the opportunity to craft their work at a rapid pace. We do our best in KS3 to give the students every practical opportunity to show their drama and musical talent, weaving the theory aspects of the course through the implementation of practical skills. Throughout Key Stage Three we have a regular focus on reading and oracy skills through class-based teaching and learning activities, this could take the form of a play or research into a famous musician. 

Assessment

There are three assessment tasks that take place each year in KS3, one per term, which makes up the formal assessment grade that appears on the termly report. All students will receive two grades, one for music and one for drama. Assessment tasks are designed to address the various different strands of performing arts, across both music and drama. These strands are addressed at different points in KS3. The assessments usually involve planning and preparation for a specific type of performance. The vast majority of feedback that students receive is both immediate and focused on the practical skills they are developing at that point in the curriculum.

Impact

The performing arts curriculum at Sandhurst School is designed to give all students the confidence and experience to help them become better performers. We aim for our students to develop a rich love of the arts and appreciate the benefits this brings to them as they participate in the world around them.

Curriculum time allocation

KS3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) - 2 hours per fortnight

KS4 (Years 10 and 11) - 5 hours per fortnight

Homework policy

Music homework policy

Curriculum pathways

KS3

KS4

KS4 Personal Learning Checklists (PLC)

Music PLC 8271

KS4 exam information

Ms E Oxenham
eoxenham@sandhurstschool.org.uk